India Launches HPV Vaccination for Girls Aged 14 in 2026

India's Union Health Ministry is preparing to launch a nationwide vaccination campaign against the human papillomavirus, targeting girls aged 14 to combat cervical cancer, with the program set to roll out in 2026.

The initiative, announced following the interim budget in February 2024, will provide the vaccine free of cost at government health facilities across all states and union territories. Officials have indicated that the campaign will prioritize girls turning 14 each year, with an estimated 1.1 crore eligible annually. Vaccination will initially be available at health centers for the first 90 days after launch, after which eligible girls can book slots via the Uwin portal at nearby health and wellness centers. The program is voluntary, aiming to ensure equitable access regardless of socioeconomic status.

The vaccine selected is Gardasil, a quadrivalent formulation that protects against HPV types 16 and 18, responsible for over 80 percent of cervical cancer cases in India, as well as types 6 and 11, which can cause genital warts. Scientific evidence from global and Indian studies supports administering a single dose at age 14, as this provides the strongest and...